Well, I was using my truck to pull a stump. I was on dry pavement. I had it in 4 low. I busted my right tie rod. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif


I have the green keys, but I lowed them down 3 full turns and maybe will lower them more tomorrow. Im gonna have the truck towed to the dealer Monday. I hope they dont void my suspension warranty for the keys... ya think? I wouldnt think a tie rod would have anything to do with a torsion key change>>??


I also removed my H2 wheels/tires and put the stockers back on http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


SO~ I know a broken tie rod in itself is not a real big deal, but could I have hurt anything else?


This should be warranty right? I mean, I NOW realize that 4 Low on dry pavement isnt a real good idea and I wont do that again, but dang it sure does'nt seem like a tie rod should have busted.. It happened at maybe 2 mph!


Can you tell Im a little bummed and somewhat disappointed in the IFS and my damn Dodge lovin' neighbor AND my Ford lovin' neighbor across the street keep telling me how the solid axle on Ford and Dodge wouldnt have let this happen.. Bastards like to rub the salt! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


But they helped me transfer the tires http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Race them, that should shut them up. http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gif


I wouldn't worry about the green keys voiding the warranty. I doubt the mechanic would even notice.

So Max, Do you think this is as simple as replace the tie rod and align it and all is well?

I am far from an expert. I have never even bent a Tie Rod. I would think that all that will be required is to replace the tie rod.


You might want to look at beefing them up. A member by the name of Superdiesel (IIRC) is selling a solution. I can't imagine that you hurt anything else.

I'll try to look him up, thanks http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gif

Jeeze, if they break this easy, there must not be much to them...


Were all 4 spinning, or what? Were you on the throttle a lot?

You have to remember there is a LOT of force in 4wd low with a 300hp diesel driving it. Plus he has big tires and the truck has the torsion bars cranked.

And I was on level 3 juice if that mattershttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


BUT STILL, I think they're a bit weak.


Thanks for directing me to those sleeves, I'll be getting them and keeping out of 4 low on the dry pavement :)

How did they break? At the joint or the shaft? I am interested in knowing more about this.. I have some intersting pics of a broken tie rod on a customers truck, that repair was 10k. Pics of it would be great

10k ?!?!?!?!?!?!? WTF Else got damaged??? Did he wreck or something?





I'll get a picture up tomorrow. It broke on the outer right tie rod end actually in the threads.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/6F1_DCP_0630.JPGHe did wreck, but not until after the tie rod broke. I hope like hell he dont get mad http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gifat me for posting these pics.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/811_DCP_0628.JPG

I have also pulled a few stumps in 4 low, How likely is it that the tie rods may break? I realize it is not a tractor, and I obviously don't want to damage anything, but on the other hand, I do wan't to use the truck as a truck.








Kevinhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I have also pulled a few stumps in 4 low, How likely is it that the tie rods may break? I realize it is not a tractor, and I obviously don't want to damage anything, but on the other hand, I do wan't to use the truck as a truck.


Im no expert (obviously! lol) But I think I've learned this:


If you're pulling in the dirt, ya, go ahead and use 4 low. But on the dry concrete/pavement, I think I should have just used 2 Hi in low gear. I actually saw the front left tire chirp on the pavement a couple times. Im sure the right front was doing the same. I think that action probably bent the rod, but then I gave it a couple feet of slack and jerked it. I think thats what actuallly broke it.


My motto from now on is if it wont come out in low gear on dry pavement, forget using my $40K truck to pull it! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif


Look under there and see how tiny that tie rod end is; its rediculous.


After seeing those wreck pictures, Im even more happy to be getting those SS sleeves.... as a safety measure!

Eric


Could you post a little more information about what this guy was doing when it broke?

I will, but first I have to get permission from the owner of the truck. Sleeves wouled have done absolutely nothing for this problem

dmaxalliTech,


Here is a picture of my broken tie rod...





http://members.aol.com/riverbound/tiebroke.jpg

Just for Sh(t$ and giggles, I took a picture of the same tie rod on a Hummer H2. Looks just as whimpy eh?


http://members.aol.com/riverbound/tieh2.jpg

Just for Sh(t$ and giggles, I took a picture of the same tie rod on a Hummer H2. Looks just as whimpy eh?


http://members.aol.com/riverbound/tieh2.jpg


It should, essentially the same truck under the sheetmetal

Could it be possible that since you tightened up the torsion it took some of your clearances away. Looking at the picture, it looks like the tie rod was forced up against the anti-sway bar, which bent it & then broke it.
Edited by: NightStalker

dmaxalliTech,


Here is a picture of my broken tie rod...





http://members.aol.com/riverbound/tiebroke.jpg





2MuchFun,


What's the final outcome on this with your dealer???

Eric


Are you able to give us anymore information on the pictures you posted above on April 17th? Thanks

they covered it under warranty after talking to the GM regional rep.





I dont think the torsion bars had any influence on the break.


The tie rod was bent back so far that it contacted the sway bar connecting rod, then it broke upon further stress, the connecting rod did not break the rod.

they covered it under warranty after talking to the GM regional rep.





I dont think the torsion bars had any influence on the break.


The tie rod was bent back so far that it contacted the sway bar connecting rod, then it broke upon further stress, the connecting rod did not break the rod.





Did they notice or say anything about your "green keys"??

They never mentioned them so neither did I http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Eric.


Go ahead and post the info on my truck.





Bob H.

Eric.


Go ahead and post the info on my truck.





Bob H.








Thats your truck in the pictures?


Glad to 'see' you posting! Sorry to see that happened though :(

I'm a brand new owner of a 4WD diesel with allison. I have never owned a diesel nor 4WD so here are some qustions:


I got 4WD only because the truck I just bought was a wonderful price and had all the goodies I wanted. I tow a 8-10k lb FW trailer.


I do not plan to use the 4WD. Any recommendations on what to do assuming I continue to NOT use it? For instance, should I use it every couple of weeks or months just to "keep the seals moist" or whatever?


If I'm in gravel, dirt or whatever and I need a little more traction to start the trailer rolling, is the 4 Hi or 4 Lo a better choice?


I admit I have not read the manual yet; that's my plan this weekend. Just go the truck yesterday! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Thanks.

PS


With this motor and all the torque it produces 4lo should not ever be needed for casual use. Extreme trailering situations where you have to move very heavy trailers up steep grades at slow speeds would be the only application i see for 4Lo.


4Lo is only used for creaping around. Any normal application should use 4 Hi if you need more traction.


Take you new truck off the pavement somewhere put it in nuetral and hit the 4 lo button. Then put it back in drive. Gently apply throttle and I think you'll get the picture. Extremely low gearing.


I would use 4hi once a month just to keep things working

I agree with 403, But wait for the Case to engage before going back into Drive!


It doesnt sound like you will ever need 4lo, but try it out and dont try to drive fast. You'll see http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif